-
I can not tell the difference quality
I have AVCHD file shot in 1080i mode from SONY-NEX7
The video contains walking people and camera panning.I convert this file to :
1. ProRes(LT) 1920x1080i
2. ProRes(LT) 1440x1080i
3. HDV 1440x1080iWithin Premiere CS3, I drop
A. ProRes 1440x1080i vs proRes 1920x1080i
AME convert to mpeg2BluRay HDTV 1080i (default)
no difference qualityB. HDV 1440x1080i vs proRes 1920x1080i
AME convert to mpeg2BluRay HDTV 1080i (default)
no difference qualityC. HDV 1440x1080i vs proRes 1920i
AME convert to H264BluRay HDTV 1080i (default)
no difference qualityD. HDV 1440x1080i vs proRes 1920i
MainConcept plugin convert to HDV-2 1440x1080i
no difference qualityalso,
A B C —> show the same quality
A/B/C vs D —> show the same qualityI think there must be a quality difference.
My question, is there actually must be a huge difference in those comparisons ? or is it because we have a “common” eyes which cause us can not tell the differences ?Any kind of respond will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advanced.regards.
-
6 Replies
-
The difference may not be obvious when just playing back the footage. Here is what I do to compare: stack the various clips on the Premiere timeline, assuming they are all exactly the same length. One above the other.
In the Program Monitor window, turn up the magnification, say 200% for starts and choose a frame of video to look at from your clip on the timeline. Now, toggle different layers on and off and you should be flipping between the same frame, but from difference sources. Look at details, focus on one thing in the image, then toggle back and forth. You should see differences in compression artifacts, detail, etc.
Thanks
Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers -
Hi Jeff,
Wowww… thank you… thank you very much, Jeff.
I follow your advice and YES, I see the quality difference :).Below is the result from my test.
(There is no Effect and Filter. It’s just plain/untouched)1.
Output Mpeg2 BluRay (file-A and file-B)
A : Source from HDV 1440×1080
B : Source from ProRes 1920×1080
Compare : HDV slightly better than ProRes2.
Output HDV (file-C and file-D)
C : Source from HDV 1440×1080
D : Source from ProRes 1920×1080
Compare : HDV slightly better than ProRes3.
E. Output Mpeg2 BluRay – Source HDV
F. Output HDV – Source HDV (smart render)
Compare : HDV format output is slightly better.4.
Output H264 BluRay (file G and file H)
G : Source from HDV 1440×1080
F : Source from ProRes 1920×1080
Compare : SAME quality5.
Output Mpeg2 BluRay
H : Source from ProRes 1920×1080
F : Source from ProRes 1440×1080
Compare : SAME qualityConclusion :
– H264 BluRay output quality is slightly better than Mpeg2 BluRay output, but the render setting for 10 sec clip took 120 sec ! Drove me insane 🙂– Mpeg2 BluRay output from HDV source is slightly better than ProRes source.
– HDV output from HDV source is slightly better than ProRes source (maybe because of the smart rendering).
– HDV output from HDV source is slightly better than Mpeg2 BluRay output from the same HDV source (maybe because of the smart rendering)
To me, HDV format source “win” for the untouched timeline clip :).
Maybe Jeff can help me for a few questions ?
1. It seems there is no difference at all between 1920×1080 vs 1440×1080 video ? (My PC is connected to 42 inch LED TV).
2. Do you know why HDV 1440×1080 source has slightly better quality than ProRes 1920×1080 source when encoded to either HDV format or Mpeg2 BluRay format ?
I wonder about this, because I see a noticeable difference when I play and compare the ProRes source vs HDV source.
3. What final-output format that can give a better result from ProRes source compare the HDV source ? (I mean, the output is not the same ProRes codec again or uncompressed AVI file :)). Maybe Mp4 ? Mov ?
Once again, thank you very much for your help, Jeff.
I really appreciate it and you made my day.regards.
-
I would first ask, what are your intentions for delivery? What is the goal of testing all of these codecs? By knowing what you wish to ultimately accomplish, I can make better suggestions.
If you plan to deliver a Blu-ray, then just edit the native footage, then export as H.264 Blu-ray. Going to ProRes or other format first just adds compression loss/generational loss.
1920×1080 is better than 1440×1080 – a lot more resolution – however as mentioned earlier when you just watch the video on TV you may not notice at all. I have two plasma TVs, one is 720p and one is 1080p. I think the 720p looks just great and can’t see the difference, football games look amazing on either.
You originally said the test source was AVCHD, but apparently you are also working with some HDV clips? There would be no advantage of converting the HDV to full 1920×1080 really, you can author Blu-ray at 1440×1080 (anamorphic) setting and keep the original sizing.
But please let me know the purpose of the testing
Thanks
Jeff Pulera
Safe Harbor Computers -
Hi Jeff,
Editing the native footage (avchd/mts file from my handycam) is laggy in CS3 timeline.
As I tested again last night for the H264 codec, the result quite surprising me as I think it almost the same quality with either the ProRes Source or HDV Source after following again your method to see the differences. But I’m not patience enough for the rendering time – and also I think my old computer is not “strong” enough to render 1 hour video duration in the timeline.
Yes, before I usually convert the mts files to HDV (1440×1080) than do the editing in CS3 with this HDV clips – then export to HDV again.
A few days ago I downloaded the free ProRes codec from the internet (GoPro Studio) to see if ProRes can have a better quality result for the HDV final output. That’s why I make the master file in HDV and ProRes for comparison – do the test to get an idea which final export give the “best” quality between those two.
So as you suggest, I think for the time being I’ll stick with HDV source for HDV output. (Maybe later if I have money I will upgrade my computer, do with the original mts file, edit then export to H264 BluRay as you suggested :)).
BTW, I notice that using ProRes 720×576 from mts file has a better quality for DVD format compare with HDV to DVD. The rendering time is also faster. I wonder why 720×576 ProRes to DVD is better quality than 1440×1080 HDV to DVD ?
Thank you very much, Jeff.
regards.
-
A few days ago I downloaded the free ProRes codec from the internet (GoPro Studio) to see if ProRes can have a better quality result for the HDV final output. That’s why I make the master file in HDV and ProRes for comparison – do the test to get an idea which final export give the “best” quality between those two.
GoproStudio does not produce the Proress codec but the CINEFORM codec.
Proress is a typical Apple codec.
Cineform is visually lossless.———————————————–
Adobe Certified Expert Premiere Pro CC
Adobe Community Professional -
Hi Ann,
Thank you for your info and respond.
Yes, you are right if exporting from CS3 – the available codec is cineform (v8.6.3) which in config setting has the option : low/medium/high/higher HD and Filmscan 1/2.Since I don’t know the ffmpeg command line for exporting the mts file to cineform codec, I use the command which I found in the internet
-vcodec prores -profile:v 1
where profile value 1 is ProRes(LT), value 3 is ProRes(HQ).For some reason, I don’t know why I can not open the GoPro Studio software in my XP SP2, but it seems their codec installed automatically in my computer once I install the software.
Thank you.
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up